The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recruits and follows a nationwide cohort of 45 study sites. Its primary goal is to understand how early environmental exposures affect child health and development over time. By harmonizing data and biospecimens from 45 diverse Cohort Study Sites across the United States, the ECHO established a standardized protocol in Cycle 1 (2016 – 2023) and is currently being continued in Cycle 2 (2024 – 2030) that follows a child from prenatal development period to young adulthood through collecting anthropometric measurements and biospecimens (e.g., urine, blood, saliva, stool, and hair). It focuses on five key health domains: pre-, peri-and postnatal outcomes; neurodevelopment; respiratory health (including asthma and allergies); obesity and related metabolic conditions; and overall positive health measures.
During my practicum with the ECHO Research Study, I gained meaningful experience observing how environmental factors shape child development from infancy to adolescence. This role allowed me to develop skills in patient communication, establishing rapport with expectant mothers, obtaining informed consent, and managing data collection and entry through REDCap. I also ensured data accuracy and upheld ethical standards throughout the process.
Building on this foundation, I am committed to advancing initiatives that promote health education, environmental and genetic health awareness. These efforts are vital to addressing a range of child health concerns, from perinatal and respiratory issues to neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders, especially among diverse ethnic groups in the U.S.
